Scotland Six Nations team to play France: Front row calls, flanker who merits start and back-three conundrum

The French have won their opening three matches with a bonus point to emphasise why they were installed as pre-tournament favourites. The sit clear in the standings on 15 points, but the Scots are second on 11 points after recovering from an opening weekend defeat to Italy by posting victories over England and Wales.

Those results have heightened Scottish excitement ahead of France’s visit to Edinburgh on Saturday. However, Gregor Townsend’s side must not lose this match - preferably a victory with a bonus point - if they are to stand any chance of winning the Six Nations title.

It is an excellent position for Scotland to be in given that the tournament started on such a negative note. Losing to the Italians in Rome raised further doubts over Townsend’s position as head coach, but positive results over England and Wales have changed the narrative.

Townsend has not been shy in making high-profile team selections during this Six Nations. Previously established names have been left out of the first XV. Some haven’t even made the bench. The Edinburgh contingent have been most affected - prop Pierre Schoeman, lock Grant Gilchrist, wingers Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham immediately come to mind. Toulouse and British and Irish Lions full-back Blair Kinghorn was not involved in the first two matches either.

The head coach has a strong squad to choose from - we take a look at his potential team selection for the visit of Les Bleus:

The front five

Only two of Scotland’s front five can be considered as nailed-on starters. Tighthead prop Zander Fagerson and second row Scott Cummings are top of the pile in their respective disciplines and it would be a major surprise to see either Glasgow Warriors man miss out, injury permitting.

Over at loosehead, Nathan McBeth was given the nod over Schoeman for England and Wales. However, he was taken off before the first half was completed in Cardiff and with Scotland’s scrum an area of mild concern, Townsend may plump for the experience and physicality of Schoeman against a hulking French pack.

Hooker has also been a problem position. Ewan Ashman, George Turner and Dave Cherry have all been handed chances during this campaign and there have been issues with all three. Ashman, who has been suffering from a neck injury, offers dynamism and a try threat, but his lineout throwing has been the least accurate of the three. That’s not to say Turner and Cherry have been a whole lot better, so Townsend has a big call on his hands at No 2.

Who partners Cummings is also an area of debate. Clubmate Max Williamson was given the nod against Wales, but was also replaced by the half-hour mark. Gilchrist could return to the team, the versatile Gregor Brown could move in from the back row, or Townsend may turn to Jonny Gray or Alex Craig. There are options.

The back row

Scotland will be without flanker Jamie Ritchie for the rest of the tournament due to injury. No 8 Jack Dempsey, however, is back in the mix after a bicep problem and is being assessed. Matt Fagerson deputised for Dempsey against Wales and will probably be at the base of the scrum again unless Dempsey is fully fit, although Magnus Bradbury’s man-of-the-match performance for Edinburgh against Scarlets on Friday in the URC was a reminder of what he can offer in that position.

Rory Darge has been one of Scotland’s best players during the Six Nations and should be selected on one flank. The other shirt is up for grabs. Brown started there against Wales but could be asked to play in the second row. If that’s the case, Josh Bayliss has a strong shout. He came on in Cardiff and helped inspire a fightback with an all-action performance. If Townsend decides to move Brown positionally, or opt for more experience in the pack, Bayliss merits inclusion.

Four likely starters

Townsend is unlikely to tinker with his pairings at half-back and in the centres. Scrum-half Ben White and stand-off Finn Russell are an established combination and while George Horne did well at No 9 when he replaced White against Wales, Townsend often turns to his liveliness and creativity if the course of the game needs altered. He has the status of super sub. Russell’s position speaks for itself.

In the centres, captain Sione Tuipulotu and his trusty Glasgow Warriors sidekick Huw Jones will surely only lose the shirts if they succumb to injury.

The back three

Now then, this is an area of debate. Who plays on the wings? Who is the full-back? One man has dropped out of the reckoning. Poor Jamie Dobie has a shoulder ailment and will miss the rest of the tournament. He started Scotland’s first two matches.

Kyle Steyn has developed into Scotland’s first-choice winger and it is hard to see him being omitted given how well he defends as well as his scoring threat. The former trait will be of great use against France’s scoring machine Louis Bielle-Biarrey.

Darcy Graham pinched a memorable, opportunistic try and Wales and has perhaps elevated himself above Duhan van der Merwe for a place on the other wing. That is one of the tougher calls facing Townsend.

Kinghorn was reinstated against Wales and played well. Tom Jordan started the previous two matches but given Kinghorn plays his club rugby in France, he will have extra motivation and a good understanding of how they play. Jordan’s versatility should earn him a place on the bench regardless of what split Townsend opts for.

My Scotland team to play France: 15 Blair Kinghorn; 14 Kyle Steyn, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Darcy Graham; 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben White; 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 Dave Cherry, 3 Zander Fagerson, 4 Gregor Brown, 5 Scott Cummings, 6 Josh Bayliss, 7 Rorge Darge, 8 Matt Fagerson.